From A Village Near The India-Nepal Border To 25 Countries: Madhurendra Kumar’s Global Rise

Madhurendra Kumar’s path runs from a village near the India–Nepal border to sand art festivals in more than 25 countries. The Bihar-born sculptor now holds 12 world records and has become one of India’s most visible cultural ambassadors in the field.

Roots In East Champaran

Born on 5 September 1994 in Barwakala Village, Ghorasahan Block, East Champaran, with ancestral ties to Bijbani in Bankatwa Block, he grew up in a farming household headed by his father, Shivkumar Sah, and mother, Gena Devi.

Jobs that funded his education included:

• Grazing goats from the age of five
• Selling curd door-to-door
• Weaving bamboo baskets
• Working in hotels and painting houses
• Selling vegetables and snacks at village fairs
• Sleeping in a college corridor for nearly six months because he could not afford a hostel room

How The Global Stage Opened

• December 2005: monumental Bathinda sculpture ‘Sarvadharm Ki Shahadat Dedicated to the Nation’ (nearly 40 ft high, 100 ft long, ~200 tons of sand)
• Encouragement from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam after seeing the work



• Formal training: BFA and MFA in Sculpture (MGKV, Varanasi) and Painting credentials from Prachin Kala Kendra, Chandigarh
• Honorary Doctorate (2026) from America International University (AIU), Hollywood, USA

Countries And Festivals

He has represented India at more than 50 international sand art festivals across 25-plus countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, China, Russia, Australia, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

World Records

He holds 12 world records. Some of them include:

• London Book of World Records (2025) for creating more than 5,000 unique sand sculptures promoting positive social awareness, an achievement also honoured at the British Parliament
• Asian Book of World Records (2025) for creating 50 unique sand sculptures depicting the mythological Gaj-Graah battle during the Sonpur Fair
• UN Book of World Records (2026) for producing 50 sand sculptures illustrating the complete life journey of Lord Buddha from birth to Mahaparinirvana
• USA Book of World Records (2026) for creating more than 21,000 unique leaf artworks
• Forbes Book of World Records (2026) for producing more than 100 awareness-driven sand sculptures highlighting public welfare and social development

Themes That Travel With Him

His artworks consistently highlight themes such as:

• Environmental conservation and climate change
• Plastic pollution and sustainable living
• Anti-drug awareness
• Water conservation
• Women’s empowerment
• World peace
• Cultural heritage
• Historical figures including Lord Buddha, Mahavira and Mahatma Gandhi

International Awards

• Best Sand Sculpture Artist of the Year (Bhutan)
• Indo-Nepal International Golden Sand Master Award
• Global Peace Ambassador Award (Sri Lanka)
• Honorary Doctorate (2026) from America International University (AIU), Hollywood, USA

National Awards

• Indian Lalit Kala Academy Award (2014)
• Raja Ravi Varma National Award (2020)
• Tilka Manjhi National Award (2023)
• Bharat Gaurav Samman (2025)
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar National Award (2025)
• National Kala Ratna Award (2026)

Brand Ambassador Assignments

• Election Commission of India during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections and the 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, for voter awareness
• Government of India for the Swachh Survekshan 2021–22 campaign
• COMFED (Sudha Dairy) during the National Farmers’ Fair 2024, for farmer empowerment and rural development

What He Plans Next

• A free Sand Art Academy for underprivileged children in Bihar
• Combining 3D Sand Art with Leaf Art to promote India’s cultural heritage abroad

From the Aruna River banks to festival grounds across Asia, Europe, America and beyond, Madhurendra Kumar’s global rise is built on sand — and on a clear social message in every piece.

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